J Korean Soc Phys Med, 2016; 11(3): 81-88 http://dx.doi.org/10.13066/kspm.2016.11.3.81
Online ISSN: 2287-7215 Print ISSN: 1975-311X
Research Article
Open Access
Relationship between Gender Roles and Job Satisfaction among Neurological Physical Therapists Ji-Whan Park, PhD, PT⋅Seul-Ki Han PhD, PT1†⋅Dae-Hee Lee, PhD, PT1 Department of Physical Therapy, Daejeon Health Sciences College 1 Department of Physical Therapy, U1 University Received: July 3, 2016 / Revised: July 8, 2016 / Accepted: July 30, 2016 ⓒ 2016 J Korean Soc Phys Med
| Abstract |
1)
RESULTS: Finger length ratio is lower in males than in females. However, there was no significant difference
PURPOSE: This study was aimed at investigating the
statistically (p>.05). Regarding job satisfaction by gender,
types of gender roles and the relationship between gender
males were more satisfied with their jobs than females
roles and job satisfaction among neurological physical
(p.05).
METHODS: The study subjects were 169 (male 74,
CONCLUSION: It cannot be concluded that bias against
female 95) neurological physical therapists working at
gender roles is a contributing factor for neurological physical
general hospitals or rehabilitation centers in the Daejeon
therapists being satisfied with their job, and thus bias against
Metropolitan City area, South Korea. To identify job
gender roles among neurological physical therapists should
satisfaction scores, the subjects completed a questionnaire,
be removed.
and a vernier caliper was used by a trained examiner to measure the lengths of the subjects’ index and ring fingers
Key Words: Finger length ratio, Gender roles, Job
(i.e., digitus secundus manus and digitus annularis,
satisfaction, Neurological physical therapists
respectively) to examine gender roles. The index to ring finger length ratio (i.e., 2D:4D ratio) was calculated using a personal computer. An independent t-test was performed to compare
Ⅰ. Introduction
the finger length ratio and job satisfaction of male group with that of the female group and a correlation analysis was performed to examine job satisfaction by gender roles.
Neurological physical therapist is a job profile that can expectedly serve to improve hospital profitability and enable efficient hospital management when exercising
†Corresponding Author :
[email protected] This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
leading capability in the neurological therapy field (Jang et al., 2010). Therefore, accurate understanding of the nature of the job as a neurological physical therapist is an important task that can enhance the quality of medical
82 | J Korean Soc Phys Med Vol. 11, No. 3
services and improve patient satisfaction (Kim et al., 2004; Park, 2004; Lim et al., 2010). Gender roles are a major factor among various factors
This study was aimed at investigating the types of gender roles and the relationship between gender roles and job satisfaction among neurological physical therapists.
in determining the nature of each job (Jo, 2009). Gender roles are attributed to social gender differences, regardless of biological gender (Lee, 2004; Park et al., 2014). In
Ⅱ. Methods
addition, gender roles are under the influence of sex hormones from the prenatal period, and sex hormones
1. Subjects
influence the finger length ratio of the index finger length
The study subjects were 169 (male 74, female 95)
to the ring finger length. In other words, a ratio closer
neurological physical therapists working at general
to 100% is considered more feminine (Evardone et al.,
hospitals or rehabilitation centers in the Daejeon
2008; Jeon et al., 2010).
Metropolitan City area, South Korea. All subjects were
If individuals choose their professional field in
fully informed of the objectives and methods of the study
consideration of such gender roles, they may be more
beforehand, and informed consent to participate in the
satisfied with their job and have a more positive attitude
experiments
toward career development (Lee, 2002). Meanwhile, it has
characteristics of the study subjects was as Table 1.
was
obtained
from
them.
General
been reported that gender roles might not be correlated with choosing one’s professional field (Park, 2008). Thus,
Table 1. Demographic characteristics of the subjects
appropriate gender roles may or may not exist for each
Frequency(%)
job. If correlations between gender roles of neurological physical therapists and their job satisfaction are found, it can be considered as to whether their occupational field is suited to their gender role, thereby contributing toward enhancing their overall job satisfaction (Jo, 2008). In addition, it serves as empirical evidence for some people
Gender Age Career Marital status
who have prejudices against the gender roles of neurological physical therapists, thus removing their prejudices. Lim et al. (2003) reported that there were gender-specific
Salary (thousand)
differences between the sociodemographic variables of
Man
74 (43.79)
Woman
95 (56.21)
Under 30 yrs
110 (65.09)
30∼40 yrs
59 (34.91)
Under 5 yrs
110 (65.09)
6∼10 yrs
59 (34.91)
Single
133 (78.70)
Married
36 (21.30)
Under ₩1,500
27 (15.95)
₩1,501∼2,000
69 (40.83)
₩2,001∼2,500
51 (30.18)
Above ₩2,500
22 (13.02)
professionalism and organizational citizenship behavior of physical therapists, while Park (2012) reported that there
2. Measurement methods and data collection
were gender-specific differences between the fields of
Measurer measured the length of the finger of the
interest and preferred work forms of physical therapy
subject. Job satisfaction survey proceeded in the 1) visit
students. Howevere, studies on gender roles and job
passed, 2) self-written, 3) direct collection. The recovery
satisfaction among neurological physical therapists are
rate was 100%.
lacking.
Relationship between Gender Roles and Job Satisfaction among Neurological Physical Therapists | 83
1) Finger length ratio
preliminary research, it was to confirm the 10 questions.
The length measurement of the finger was reference
This survey was the Cronbach Alpha Coefficient of .81.
to the method of Manning et al. (2000) (Fig. 1). Vernier
The following were questionnaire content. We asked
caliper was used by a trained examiner to measure the
1) pride and fulfillment of occupation (pride), 2) conformity
lengths of the subjects’ index and ring fingers to examine
to current fields and aptitude (aptitude match), 3)
gender roles. Inter-examiner and intra-examiner reliability
occupation satisfaction of fields (fields satisfaction), 4)
was .95 and .96. The finger length ratio used in this study
satisfaction of workload (workload) and 5) satisfaction of
was calculated using the following formula (Bailey and
job (satisfaction) to see if subjects were satisfied with field
Hurd, 2005). Subjects raised dominant hands on the table.
and job. The higher the score of pride, subjects prided
Than, examiners measured the shortest distance from the
in fields. The higher the score of aptitude match, aptitude
the ventral proximal crease central point to central point
of subjects were matched field. The higher the score of
finger tip of index and ring finger.
fields satisfaction, subjects were satisfied with field. The higher the score of workload, subjects were satisfied with
cm cm
workload. The higher the score of satisfaction, subjects were satisfied with job. We asked satisfaction of 6) salary (salary satisfaction) and 7) salary satisfaction compared with workload (salary-workload) to see if subjects were satisfied with salary. The higher the score of salary satisfaction, subjects
2
4
were satisfied with salary. The higher the score of salary-workload, subjects were satisfied with salary when compared with salary. We asked 8) reflection of opinions (reflection), 9) development of ability (development) and 10) demonstration of ability (demonstration) to see if subjects were satisfied with ability to work. The higher the score of reflection, subjects were satisfied that their opinions will be reflected in institutions. The higher the score of development, subjects was satisfied with their ability to develop. The higher the score of demonstration, subjects were satisfied that their ability will be demonstrated in institutions.
Fig. 1. length measurement of the finger
2) Job satisfaction A questionnaire about job satisfaction used in the present study was adapted from a study by Lee (2013). Through
3. Analysis SPSS 12.0 was used for the statistical analysis, with a significance level of .05. An independent t-test was performed to compare the finger length ratio and job satisfaction of male group with that of the female group
84 | J Korean Soc Phys Med Vol. 11, No. 3
and a pearson`s correlation analysis was performed to
satisfaction, salary satisfaction, reflection, development and
examine job satisfaction by gender roles.
demonstration was a significant difference statistically significant (p.05) (Table 3).
Ⅲ. Results 3. Correlation between finger length ratio and job satisfaction
1. Finger length ratio according to gender
There was no significant correlation between finger
Finger length ratio is lower in males than in females. However, there was no significant difference statistically
length ratio and job satisfaction. (p>.05) (Table 4).
(p>.05) (Table 2). Ⅳ. Discussion
Table 2. 2D:4D difference comparison according to field and gender (unit: %) Mean±SD Total
97.35±3.80
Male
96.96±3.60
Female
97.65±3.95
t
-1.17
p
.25
This study was aimed at investigating the types of gender roles and the relationship between gender roles and job satisfaction among neurological physical therapists. Kim and Kim (2010) reported that finger length ratios were 94% in male university students and 97% in female university students. In addition, Kim and Jo (2012) found that finger length ratios were 95% in male healthcare
2. Job satisfaction according to gender The males in all categories of job satisfaction was higher than females. And pride, aptitude match, workload,
college students, 96% in their female counterparts, and that there were significant differences in finger length ratios by gender. In contrast, the present study found that finger
Table 3. Job satisfaction grade comparison according to field (unit: score) Mean±SD
1)
t
p
3.38±.77
2.55
.01*
3.59±1.02
3.24±.77
2.48
.02*
fields satisfaction
3.50±.97
3.25±.77
1.80
.08
workload
3.28±1.13
2.68±.88
3.77